LAS VEGAS – The home-ice magic has cooled considerably, but the Winnipeg Jets can lean on the fact they have been road warriors during these Stanley Cup playoffs as the Western Conference final shifts to T-Mobile Arena for the next two games.

After splitting the first two games, the Jets realize they will need to crank up their game a bit in order to avoid falling behind in a series for the first time in three rounds.

“We just try to keep our game simple. If we start to complicate things and… when teams play our game against us and we’re too fancy, that’s a recipe for success for the other team. The more direct we are, the faster we play, it helps us play fast and get all four lines rolling and get everyone involved,” said Jets forward Andrew Copp, whose club is 4-2 on the road during the playoffs. “It was a great crowd when we were here for sure. We’ve been used to great atmosphere’s the last couple of series. It shouldn’t be anything we’re not used to at this point but we know there going to be loud and they’re going to be cheering for their team, for sure.”

The Jets used a fast start to capture the series opener 4-2, but the Golden Knights bounced back with a workmanlike 3-1 triumph in Game 2, stealing home-ice advantage and turning this into a best-of-five.

“They’re relentless,” forward Mathieu Perreault said. “We knew they weren’t going to just fold and let us take two at home. They battled hard and played a hard game, so that’s what we expected from them. We’ve got ourselves a series.”

The Jets were the best team in the NHL at home during the regular season, but they have dropped three of the past four games at Bell MTS Place and are 5-3 on home ice during the playoffs.

The Golden Knights are 4-1 on home ice during the playoffs after going 29-10-2 during the regular season.

Local lore suggests that several teams were struck by the Vegas flu during the inaugural season, but the Jets stressed they were not about to fall victim to the night life, given what’s at stake.

“Everybody is going to bed early. We’re here to win a hockey game,” Perreault said. “At this time of the year, it’s all business. We’re here to win a Stanley Cup this year. Everybody is buying into that. It doesn’t matter what city we play in, we’re going to take care of ourselves.”

There’s no concern whatsoever about curfew or anything of that nature.

“Obviously,” said Jets centre Mark Scheifele. “It’s playoffs. You’ve got to put your nose to the grindstone. It’s all about rest and recovery. And that’s our focus each and every day here.”

TOP LINE CONCERNS

Stop us if you’ve heard this before.

Much like in the second round, when the Predators’ first line of Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson heated up against the Jets, the Golden Knights’ top trio of Jonathan Marchessault (two goals), Reilly Smith (two assists) and William Karlsson (one assist) played a pivotal role in Game 2.

The line also combined for a goal and four points in the series opener.

“Not surprised. Anybody’s top line around the league, certainly anybody’s who’s left, is going to be a real power,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “And they don’t need a lot of room, they won’t have to dominate to put two or three by you, they’ll just need their own chances.”

CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR

Copp gad a glorious rebound chance in the second period on Monday and while he beat Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, his shot rattled off the iron and the score remained 2-0 for the time being.

“It was just a loose puck and it clicked off the inside of the post. It’s a game of inches, but I thought our line had some good chances, especially in the second (period),” said Copp. “They hit a couple posts when they were up 2-0 too so that could change it that way. It all evens out in the end and with seven games, the best team is usually going to win. Little breaks last night might not have went our way last night but it’s a long series and we’ve got to concentrate on the next game.”

COPP HAS UPPER HAND

A day after a tough 4-2 loss on home ice, the Jets were keeping it light as they arrived on the Las Vegas strip.

The players had a bounce in their step as they arrived for a media availability at the Bellagio Hotel, with Scheifele racing to get into the scrum ahead of Copp and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

The latter two then engaged in some playful wrestling as Scheifele spoke to the media. Finally, when Scheifele was finished, they had an emphatic game of rock, paper, scissors to see who went next.

“I threw scissors and Bucky threw paper, so I won,” Copp said with a smile.

He was then asked if keeping it light, like they did Tuesday, has been a big part of their ability to flush losses, like the one they suffered Monday.

“I don’t think you would have seen that (Monday) night after the game,” he said. “But it’s a long series and you can’t be taking losses to the next day. You can worry about them that night and then the next day get back to enjoying your time in the Western Conference final.

“Obviously when that pre-game skate comes around (Wednesday) everyone will be a little bit more dialled in but, if we’re not having fun, then what are we doing?”

PERRON QUESTIONABLE

Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant didn’t have much of an update when asked about forward David Perron, who was unavailable for Game 2.

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